Dragon (Chinese Dragon) Bay National Forest Park (lóng wān qún guó jiā sēn lín gōng yuá 龙湾群国家森林公园) occupies an area of 6780 hectares, among which 227 hectares are covered by water, and the rest are of 1095 hectares. Locating in Longgang (lóng gǎng 龙岗) range in the western part of Changbai (cháng bái 长白) Mountain, Longwan (lóng wān 龙湾) Crater Lake group is China's biggest Crater Lake group. These alpine lakes are formed in volcanic eruption in ancient geological age. The average water depth is around 50 meters and the deepest point can reach 100 meters. The 164 crater lakes and crater in Huinan (huī nán 辉南) Longgang range are well preserved and have their unique geological features and spectacular scenery which make the lakes unparallel in China. Volcanic landforms bestow unique charming to Longwanqun National Forest Park.

Overview

Located in the virgin forest which is under the management of Huinan Forest Management Bureau, Longwanqun National Forest Park has many cater lakes which are famous for their complicated topography and the unusual landform. The park takes up 8,102 hectares out of which 227 hectares are covered by water. The attraction is made up of 10 scenic spots: Delta Dragon Bay, Primary Dragon Bay, Prior Dragon Bay, Minor Dragon Bay, Eastern Dragon Bay, Southern Dragon Bay, Dry Dragon Bay, Jug Lake (waterfall), Golden Dragon Peak, and Square Peak, contribute to a landscape of seven Bays, one Lake and two Peaks. In total there are 100-odd attractions here.

History

Millions of years ago, the Longgang craters erupted with ground trembling and valley echoing which formed a spectacular scene. In the heart of the earth, the high temperature magma were seeking their roads out and rushing out of the ground. All of a sudden, the crater erupted, fulgurites ran across the surface of the earth and the red lights glittered in the sky. The crater lakes created after those are the lakes in the Longwan Crater Lake groups today. Jinlongdingzi and Sifangdingzi is the volcanic cone formed at that time. The cooling magma piled up on the ground, forming all kinds of strange shaped peaks and stone sea, cliffs, waterfall, ecological gully, basalt and caverns which make people marvel at the power of the nature.

Since Longwanqun National Forest Park was founded in 1992 which was approved by the national forestry ministry, Huinan forest management bureau has made more investment in the park. A total investment of RMB 13,750,000 is made. The park has met the reception standard and has increased its reception capacity from 50,000 per year to over 100,000 per year.

Best Attractions

Sanjiaolongwan (sān jiǎo lóng wān 三角龙湾) Scenic Spot

Sanjiaolong Bay is the most beautiful bay in Long Bay group.

67km away from Chaoyang (cháo yang 朝阳) town in Huinan County, Sanjiaolong Bay is 687 meters high. Crater wall is 50 to 130 meters high, the lake coverage is 42.6 hectare and the deepest point is 86 meters.

Sanjiaolong Bay possesses graceful mountains and precipitous cliffs, marvelous stones and pleasant waters. It is said that there used to be a black dragon cultivating itself here. That dragon flew to the Heavenly Lake (Celestial Lake) in Changbai Mountain later. Its resting place forms Sanjiaolong Bay (triangle dragon bay). The bay gets its name from the triangle shape. Some also say that the name is from the triangle megalith standing in the south of the bay. The bay is divided into two parts - the south part and the north part. The south bay with open lake is bigger. The North Bay is small but calm. A small island is situated in the middle of the bay. The bay is surrounded by precipitous cliffs and spectacular peaks. The cliffs in the east are like with fresco. The crater cliff is undulate, clothing with green trees; the water in the lake is clean and quiet. The scenery here is the best in Longwan Bay.

Shuanglong Cave (double dragons cave) is in the cliff of the lake’s southeast part. The spectacular Sanjiaolong Bay is all in view when standing in the two caves created by nature. The mottled wall of the cliff is like a splash-ink landscape painting. A bathing place is constructed here. Standing on the Hulu Platform or the granite steal on the north bank which can contain 7 to 8 people, one may have a feeling of on the water.

Dalongwan (dà lóng wān 大龙湾) Scenic Spot

Locating in Jinchuan (jīn chuān 金川) Town of Huinan County, Dalong Bay covers 80 hectare. Its average depth is 60 meters with the deepest point 88.5 meters and the lake surface is 629 meters altitude. The crater wall around it is 25 to 125 meters high. Grace Lake on the southeast part of Dalong Bay which adds beauty to Dalong Bay was formed in the last eruption of Jinlongdingzi (jīn lóng dǐng zǐ 金龙顶子), the crater on the same spot. The magma rushed out of the crater and flew into Dalong Bay in the shape of tongue.

Dalong Bay is the biggest Crater Lake group in Huinan County. The rocks in Dalong Bay have their special charm. Around the lake, there are aloof peaks and ranges with different colors which have diversified shapes. Jinlongdingzi, a huge peak in the southeast part of the bay, is like a giant looking after the Dalong Bay which is like a fairy mirror. Marvelous bluffs are standing on the north bank of the Dalong Bay. The megalith resting in the lake which is called Zhenlong Rock (the stone which locks a dragon) is said to be put into the lake to lock a ferocious dragon by a Taoist from Wudang (wǔ dāng 武当) Mountains. Tourists gather here to feel the remaining power of the stone.

There are many caves with legends scattering around Dalong Bay, which adds the mystery of the Bay. The Longgong (lóng gōng 龙宫) Palace (dragon palace) is situated in the 15-meter-long and 20-meter-wide cave on the north bank. It is said the Taoist who locked the dragon used to preach Tao and deliver people from torment here.

Dalong Bay in different seasons has different sceneries: Dalong Bay in spring is decorated by thousands of trees of azalea which reflects on the rippling clean water. The changing reflections add mystery to the lake. Dalong Bay in summer is a paradise for birds that rest on the jade green woods and plays on the waves. In autumn, red leaves are flaring in the mountains around Dalong Bay. And the winter Dalong Bay is clothed by white snow. The bold and proud pine in cold wind bestows people a heroic feeling.

Diaoshuihu (diào shuǐ hú 吊水壶) Waterfall

2.5km away from Dalong Bay, Diaoshui Lake possesses the beauty of Jiuzhaigou (jiǔ zhài gōu 九寨沟) tourist attraction, a famous attraction in Sichuan Province and can be compared with Huangguoshu (huáng guǒ shù 黄果树) Tourist Attraction which is famous for the waterfalls. Diaoshuihu Waterfall is hidden in thick woods. Therefore, one hears the roaring of the waterfall before seeing it. Climbing up a hummock, one can see two waterfalls running on cliffs just like a huge water jug hanging on the canyon. Flowing a long way, Diaoshui Lake which is originated from Jingyu (jìng yǔ 靖宇) jumps from the cliff, spreading a white cloth on the bluff. The cliff has two parts: the higher part is a stone slope which is two meters high and 4 meters wide; the lower part is more precipitous which four meters high is. The water rushes through the waterfall and rolling in the lake like boiling water; the spray dancing in the air is like catkin flying. The lake is surrounded by green pines which reflect on the water which is so limpid that one can see the bottom. The waterfall rushing from the cliff is like a white dragon diving into the pool below. The water runs into the rocks and bounces. The sprays are like jade broken into pieces or pearls. The water rushes into the pool, providing a sound like beating drums which can be heard hundreds of meters away. After the confined path, a magnificent waterfall is in view. A bridge across the valley serves as a perfect spot to view the waterfall. The running pearl-like drops of water and the jade-curtain-like waterfall make one feel like lingering in a painting.

2km north of Jinchuan Forestry center which is under the management of the Huinan Forest Management Bureau, Jinlongdingzi is 999.34 meters high. It is on the south of the big mouth of spring, the east of Dalong Bay. The lava hill lies in west to southeast. The spectacular hill is like a crown. Standing on the hill, one would view a sea of pines waving in a vast expanse of misty.

Precipitous Sifangdingzi (sì fāng dǐng zǐ shān 四方顶子山) (square hill)

There are two Sifangdingzi in Huinan Longwanqun attraction. One is bigger than the other one. The bigger one is the highest nearby. It is 1233.3 meters high. Standing on the top of it, one views the charm of the endless forest sea. A lookout is built at the flat area which extends 200 meters on top of the hill to prevent fire. The hill is precipitous. Tourists have to lead a vertical way to reach the top which takes 3 hours. Springs flow on the hill all year round. The weathering stones cover the top of the hill. Most plants on the hill are old low trees such as saw tooth oak. The strong wind molds the trees on top of the hill with diversified figures, which forms special scenery. The weather on top of hill is changeable. The fog rushing in without notice blinds people. Unexpected rain washes the dirt off the green leaves.

Location:Chaoyang (cháo yang 朝阳)Town, Huinan (huī nán 辉南) County

Transportation: The highways for touring in scenic spots of Dragon Bay have been paved and put into use. Take bus to Chaoyang Town at Tonghua Bus Station and the Special tourist lines towards Dragon Bay are Chaoyang Town everyday.